Getting Started Teaching & Learning Now and Through the Semester

I just heard about the idea of "enduring understandings" and thought I'd share some resources that have been helpful. This website from the Pedagogy Resources at the University of Alaska Fairbank (UAF) has lots of great info! From a brief explanation of the concept to applying the ideas in your course (including considerations for online) - I'm excited to think more about what this looks like in my day-to-day. https://iteachu.uaf.edu/enduring-understandings/ Attached below is the UAF Understanding by Design Tree, a tool to help in planning your course as a way to help identify what you expect students to get out of the course and how those “results” will be distributed between assignments and scaffolded through course content.

If you want to make sure your course is aligned across objectives, instructional approaches, activities, assessments, etc. (alignment is good - it helps students see the "why" of class experiences and requirements), the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Teaching and Learning has a great "Course Alignment Worksheet"!

Research shows that diversity makes us smarter. Designing an inclusive classroom that allows students to share differing opinions in a brave space where people are treated with dignity can result in good learning outcomes for all. Conflict is a natural part of learning, and differences of opinion expressed in appropriate ways allow everyone to grow. An inclusive classroom allows the instructor to manage conflict in a way that harnesses differences so that they serve as learning opportunities for all. Click the attachment below for some key elements to consider when designing an inclusive classroom. SOURCE: MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives

DID YOU KNOW... Information on the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and how to file a complaint regarding discrimination and/or harassment can be found at: http://www.oie.msu.edu/